ABLYNX - Bi-specific Nanobody demonstrates superior efficacy as compared to reference monoclonal antibody drugs
- Bi-specific Nanobody strongly inhibits proliferation and survival of human endothelial cells
GHENT, Belgium, 5 November 2015 - Ablynx [Euronext Brussels: ABLX; OTC: ABYLY] today announced that its partner Boehringer Ingelheim presented positive in vivo proof-of-mechanism data from the half- life extended bi-specific anti-VEGF/Ang2 Nanobody, at the 8th Euro Global Summit on Cancer Therapy, taking place 3-5 November 2015 in Valencia, Spain.
The anti-VEGF/Ang2 Nanobody was discovered and developed as part of the Strategic Alliance between both parties, signed in September 2007. This Nanobody blocks both vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and angiopoietin-2 (Ang2), important proteins which are involved in the formation of new blood vessels from pre-existing vessels (angiogenesis), a vital mechanism in the growth of tumours.
The data was presented in a poster session by Boehringer Ingelheim on 4 November 2015 at 16.30h CET. Poster title: 'Dual targeting of angiogenesis pathways: combined blockade of VEGF and Ang2 signalling'.
The results from the pre-clinical study demonstrated that this bi-specific Nanobody potently inhibits VEGF and Ang2 signalling in multiple in vivo cancer models and strongly impairs proliferation and survival of human endothelial cells. In addition, the bi-specific Nanobody showed superior efficacy as compared to inhibition of the individual pathways by the reference monoclonal antibody drugs. The Nanobody was also found to be well tolerated in cynomolgus monkeys.
These strong in vivo proof-of-mechanism results support the evaluation of this Nanobody in Phase I clinical studies, which will trigger a milestone payment to Ablynx at study start.
In September 2007, Ablynx and Boehringer Ingelheim entered into a strategic alliance on the discovery, development and commercialisation of Nanobody therapeutics across a range of diseases, including oncology, immunology, respiratory and vascular diseases. The agreement allows for potential milestone payments of up to €125 million plus royalties to Ablynx for each Nanobody which reaches the market. Boehringer Ingelheim is exclusively responsible for the development, manufacturing and commercialisation of any products resulting from the collaboration. Ablynx retains certain co-promotion rights in Europe. To date, Ablynx has earned >€67 million in cash from this strategic alliance and in addition to the anti-VEGF/Ang2 Nanobody there are a number of other programmes advancing through pre-clinical development, all fully funded by Boehringer Ingelheim.
About AblynxAblynx is a biopharmaceutical company engaged in the development of Nanobodies®, proprietary therapeutic proteins based on single-domain antibody fragments, which combine the advantages of conventional antibody drugs with some of the features of small-molecule drugs. Ablynx is dedicated to creating new medicines which will make a real difference to society. Today, the Company has more than 30 proprietary and partnered programmes in development in various therapeutic areas including inflammation, haematology, immuno-oncology, oncology and respiratory disease. The Company has collaborations with multiple pharmaceutical companies including AbbVie, Boehringer Ingelheim, Eddingpharm, Genzyme, Merck & Co., Inc., Merck KGaA, Novartis and Taisho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. The Company is headquartered in Ghent, Belgium. More information can be found on www.ablynx.com.
Ablynx: Dr Edwin Moses CEO t: +32 (0)9 262 00 07 m: +32 (0)473 39 50 68 e: edwin.moses@ablynx.com | Marieke Vermeersch Associate Director Investor Relations t: +32 (0)9 262 00 82 m: +32 (0)479 49 06 03 e: marieke.vermeersch@ablynx.com@AblynxABLX |
Instinctif Partners International/English language Sue Charles, Daniel Gooch London office t: +44 (0)20 7866 7905 e: ablynx@instinctif.com | Belgium/Dutch and French language Jim Rusagara Brussels office t: +32 (0)2 626 9500 e: ablynx@instinctif.com |
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